Open the pod door, HAL: The Future of Mainstream Cruising Has Arrived

A couple of decades ago, Celebrity Cruises enterred the premium cruise niche previously owned by Holland America, which is to say they stressed fine dining and outstanding service as part of a moderately priced but elegant mainstream cruise ship experience.

Much like new Apple Computers, which Celebrity features prominently on its ships with the only Apple stores at sea, advanced training onboard for Macs and iPhones, and even iPad menus at their Qsine restaurant, Celebrity Cruises did not need to be "backward compatible" for the benefit of long-established customers.  While not having returning guests certainly may have been seen as a disadvantage, Celebrity could cater to baby boomers using a concept they now call Modern Luxury, using ships generally larger than Holland America.

Holland America, established in the early 1870's to provide "Trans Atlantic Steamship" service between Rotterdam and the New World, has over a century of returning customers who want to be comfortable with the gradual evolution of the line, but now HAL is aggressively re-establishing itself at the vanguard of cruising in the 21st Century marketplace.

Interestingly, Holland America has teamed with Microsoft, which has always strived to be backward compatible for computer users, bringing in Microsoft-trained Techsperts to conduct educational programs similar to those found in Celebrity's iLounge. 

To up the computer ante, Koningsdam will have much greater band width, allowing guests to add unlimited internet for only $60 per week or $15 per day.  For those who are happy to just check-in with social media like Facebook on sea days, there will be choices of $5 per day or $25 per week.

In many other ways, Holland America has made it clear in recent years they will no longer cede the baby boomer market to Celebrity, and their newest ship Koningsdam, set to arrive in early 2016, will of course embody all of their latest theories on Classic Elegance and Understated Beauty.



Some of Koningsdam's features have proven their popularity on other ships in the line within the last few years and will eventually be expanded to cover the fleet.

One highlight of expansion and improvement that I've been most excited about in recent years has been Holland America's entertainment. Through collaborations with B. B. King's Blues Club, Billboard Magazine, Lincoln Center and Dancing With the Stars, Holland America doesn't plan to play second fiddle to anyone.

By the way, if you're a dancer, did you know you can learn routines like those you love on "Dancing With the Stars" and then compete in an onboard version, partnered with professional dancers? Each year, the winners from each sailing will be enterred to win a free 7-night cruise on which they will compete in the grand finale at sea, with one champion from each ship attempting to win the DWTS crown.  Some special sailings feature the stars and celebrities from the TV series.

On Koningsdam, Holland America will introduce its new LED Theater Concept, World Stage.  In a nod to the past, I see traces of Anaheim's Melodyland Theater, where I saw my first concert (Tennessee Ernie Ford) with my parents. This state-of-the-art "theater-in-the-round," however, has a backdrop of a 270 degree LED screen that is two stories high and 250 feet long.  It will be dazzling and also allow for easier set changes, which translates into greater variety.  



By the way, it should be obvious by now, but cruise ships provide amazing opportunities for talented performers to ply their crafts, so when you cruise, you support the arts.

I want to stress that Holland America also wants to encourage families with children to take advantage of their large staterooms and terrific Club HAL children's program.  Like Celebrity, Holland America may be overlooked by families tempted by Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Carnival, but surprisingly their prices are not more and frequently even less, especially with free or reduced third and fourth passenger rates on certain sailings.

Koningsdam will offer new Family Ocean View accomodations that hold up to five guests and have 1 3/4 baths.  Yes, there is a separate room with shower as well as the main one with bath tub.

Did you know almost all rooms on Holland America have bathtubs that also have shower heads?  That's very important for parents traveling with toddlers.  They do, but these special family quints will have separate separate shower and bath tub.

I've barely touched on HAL dining, but you can believe it is terrific, and in fact they have re-imagined every venue, including the Terrace Grill by the swimming pool, renamed Dive-In, with signature gourmet hamburgers grilled while you relax in your lounge chair until your beeper summons you to pick up.  And the spacious main dining room is more gorgeous than ever.

Are you tempted by Holland America? 

Better service leads to better trips!